SOME IMMORTALS AND A MORAL
Reading edition
[“If the Immortals were privileged to revisit the glimpses of the moon their reappearance on earth might cause many bitter disappointments.”—Literary Paper.]
IF from out the Happy Valley, Leaving the Olympian Ballet, The Immortals forth should sally, Wings unfurled; Kicking o’er their starry traces, If they sought more mundane spaces, Would they fill their old-time places In the world? Would the jeux d’esprit of “Sherry,” Monstrous witty, wondrous merry, To the “Vagabonds” seem very Much a bore? In the after-dinner Babel, Flashing silver through their sable, Would great “Titmarsh” set the table In a roar? Would the world be much indebted To the Beau George Regent petted? Would his garments be regretted, Or the rage? Would the Golden Sarah, sprightly, Wear her laurel-crown as lightly If the Grander Sarah nightly Queened the stage? Would the Dictionary Doctor, Sulky as a College proctor. By the “Savages” be mocked, or Chaired in state? Would the Commons be elated If its bygone shades orated (Say that Fox and Pitt debated), Or irate? Should th’ Immortals hither scurry (Though they’ve got no cause to hurry) Would they waken joy or worry? Who can tell? But they suffer no translation From their sphere of elevation, And, in view of complication, It is well.